{"id":22099,"date":"2025-06-28T15:15:16","date_gmt":"2025-06-28T15:15:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/22099\/"},"modified":"2025-06-28T15:15:16","modified_gmt":"2025-06-28T15:15:16","slug":"five-prescription-drugs-that-can-make-it-harder-to-cope-with-the-heat-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/22099\/","title":{"rendered":"Five prescription drugs that can make it harder to cope with the heat"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"medication\"<\/p>\n

Credit: Pixabay\/CC0 Public Domain<\/p>\n

As temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illness\u2014especially for people taking certain prescription drugs.<\/p>\n

The body uses several mechanisms to regulate temperature: sweating, blood flow to the skin and fluid balance. But some commonly prescribed drugs interfere with these processes, making it harder to stay cool.<\/p>\n

Here are a few you should know about this summer:<\/p>\n

1. Antidepressants<\/p>\n

Two specific types of antidepressants\u2014selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors<\/a> (SSRIs) and tricyclics<\/a> (TCAs)\u2014may make summer harder to cope with. They could even cause heat intolerance<\/a> due to how they affect the body’s ability to sweat.<\/p>\n

Both these antidepressants are believed to partly work by affecting neurotransmitter levels in the brain\u2014primarily serotonin and noradrenaline. However, they may also affect other neurotransmitters.<\/p>\n

For instance, TCAs can block acetylcholine<\/a>, a neurotransmitter important for sweating. This may cause some patients to sweat less<\/a>. On a hot day, this could make it hard to cool down.<\/p>\n

However, TCAs also increase noradrenaline levels, a neurotransmitter that stimulates sweat glands. This can increase sweating. In fact, both SSRIs and TCAs can increase sweating in users. Data shows up to 14%<\/a> of antidepressant users experience this side-effect.<\/p>\n

SSRIs may also interfere with the hypothalamus<\/a>\u2014the brain region that controls body temperature and tells the sweat glands to start producing sweat. But this signal may be affected by the increased serotonin levels.<\/p>\n

Since sweating is a key cooling mechanism, any disruptions to this process can lead to heat-related illness. Excess sweating may also cause dehydration<\/a> if fluids aren’t replaced.<\/p>\n

2. Antipsychotics<\/p>\n

Antipsychotics are used to treat psychosis, which can occur in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They do this by blocking the neurotransmitter dopamine<\/a>\u2014which in turn affects levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This can disrupt the hypothalamus’s ability to sense and respond to body temperature changes.<\/p>\n

As a result, someone taking an antipsychotic might not feel overheated or thirsty when it’s hot out. This can cause low blood pressure and reduced heart function<\/a>. The body then tries to compensate by narrowing the blood vessels<\/a> and holding in heat. This in turn reduces sweating and makes it harder to cool down properly.<\/p>\n

Additionally, antipsychotics have anticholinergic properties<\/a>. This means they block the action of acetylcholine, making it harder to sweat.<\/p>\n

3. Heart medications<\/p>\n

Beta-blockers are used to manage heart failure and arrhythmias. They do this by lowering heart rate and reducing how forcefully the heart pumps. But this can limit blood flow<\/a> to the skin\u2014making it harder for the body to release heat on hot days.<\/p>\n

Diuretics are also commonly used in the treatment of high blood pressure or heart failure. But as these drugs increase urine output<\/a>, this may lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances during hot weather. With less fluid available, the body may struggle to sweat properly. If you become severely dehydrated<\/a>, you might actually stop feeling thirsty. Blood pressure can also drop, which may cause dizziness or fainting\u2014especially when standing up.<\/p>\n

Ramipril and losartan, also used to manage blood pressure, can increase the risk of dehydration<\/a> as well. These drugs block a system in the body that helps control blood pressure, fluid balance and thirst. This may reduce your natural urge to drink, increasing dehydration risk when it’s hot.<\/p>\n

4. Stimulants<\/p>\n

Stimulants\u2014such as the amphetamines used for ADHD\u2014affect many brain chemicals, including dopamine and noradrenaline. This can increase body temperature, boost metabolism and change how the body sweats\u2014all of which can make it harder to cool down<\/a>, especially when exercising or in hot weather. This can also potentially lead to dehydration, overheating or even heatstroke. Stimulants may also reduce the feeling of tiredness, which can cause people to overexert themselves without realizing the danger.<\/p>\n

However, some recent research<\/a> shows people with ADHD who take stimulants may actually have a lower chance of heat-related illnesses\u2014but larger trials are needed to investigate further. The researchers hypothesize that this protective effect may be due to factors such as lower body weight and users staying hydrated.<\/p>\n

5. Insulin<\/p>\n

Warm temperatures cause the body’s blood vessels<\/a> to dilate (widen) in order to help us cool off. But this action means insulin<\/a> is absorbed into the bloodstream faster<\/a> as there’s enhanced blood flow<\/a> to the area where insulin is injected\u2014making blood sugar drop more quickly. This can lead to hypoglycemia<\/a> (low blood glucose level), which may lead to dizziness, shaking, sweating, irritability and even potentially loss of consciousness or seizures.<\/p>\n

Faster insulin absorption can also make it harder for people with diabetes to notice signs of low blood sugar<\/a> in the heat, since common symptoms may be mistaken for being hot.<\/p>\n

Heat can also degrade insulin<\/a>, reducing its effectiveness and making it unsafe. This is why insulin should be stored in the fridge<\/a> until use\u2014especially in summer. Damaged insulin will change appearance<\/a>\u2014turning cloudy or changing color.<\/p>\n

Avoiding heatstroke<\/p>\n

Older adults<\/a>, people with chronic conditions<\/a> (especially those with heart or lung disease<\/a>) and those taking multiple prescription drugs<\/a> are especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there are steps you can take<\/a> to stay safe during summer if you’re taking one of these common prescription drugs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

First, check labels for storage instructions. Avoid leaving medications in hot places, such as in cars or on windowsills. Insulin isn’t the only drug affected by heat\u2014inhalers<\/a> and EpiPens<\/a> can also malfunction or become less effective.<\/p>\n

Second, stay hydrated when it’s hot\u2014unless your doctor has advised otherwise. Dehydration can actually worsen the effects of many medicines. For example, anti-inflammatory painkillers<\/a> (such as ibuprofen) are more likely to cause kidney problems and bipolar medicines (including lithium<\/a>) can become toxic if you’re dehydrated.<\/p>\n

Avoid peak heat hours<\/a> and stay in cool environments when possible. Watch for warning signs<\/a> of heat-related illness\u2014such as dizziness, confusion, nausea or excessive sweating.<\/p>\n

Last, don’t stop taking your prescription medications without medical advice. If it’s affecting your ability to cope with the heat, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.<\/p>\n

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\n This article is republished from The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article<\/a>.\"The\n <\/p>\n

\n Citation<\/strong>:
\n Five prescription drugs that can make it harder to cope with the heat (2025, June 26)
\n retrieved 28 June 2025
\n from https:\/\/medicalxpress.com\/news\/2025-06-prescription-drugs-harder-cope.html\n <\/p>\n

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